50+ NYC Film Festival Spring Submissions
Want to premiere your film in New York? Here are 50+ dates and deadlines you need to know.
It’s Springtime. The season to shake the snow off your camera and go make movies. If you want to showcase your work in the city that never sleeps, here are a few dates and deadlines you should pay attention to on FilmFreeway.
April 2019
April showers bring May flowers and stellar opportunities to screen our film. From intimate indie fests to star studded red carpets, if you miss these great submission opportunities, you’ll feel like an April Fool.
Just Starting:
NewFest, New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival is an annual celebration of the year’s best queer films from the U.S. and abroad, as well as parties, panels and events bringing together filmmakers, movie lovers, and the LGBTQ community.
Earlybird Deadline: April 18, 2019
Event Date: October 23–29, 2019
International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM), now on it’s 9th Milestone Year, offers a quality selection of world-class films that will be showcased in a theater in Manhattan New York City, USA. Our programming encompasses all different genres of diverse program. Narrative features, documentaries, shorts and student films from all over the world. We also have a focus on social relevance as part of our programming and our goals.
Earlybird Deadline: April 20, 2019
Event Date: October 17–20, 2019
East Hampton TV Festival (EHTVF) is an annual event produced by the Foundation for the Arts & Film featuring top TV Series from celebrated filmmakers as well as up-coming new talent from around the world. Don’t miss this great Opportunity to be part of a festival in one of the most trendy city with beautiful beaches where celebrities and producers have their Summer Homes. EHTVF accepts films from around the World.
Earlybird Deadline: April 27, 2019
Event Date: July 17–20, 2019
The 7th Annual Chain NYC Film Festival is known for celebrating personal stories and original ideas in the heart of midtown NYC. The festival has proven to be an emerging festival to watch out for — in 2018 the festival screened more than 100 films and doubled in submission size. With the goal of sparking exciting dialogue between filmmakers and their audiences, Chain NYC comes alive in New York City. The venue couldn’t be more convenient as it’s located steps from Penn Station and blocks from Times Square.
Earlybird Deadline: April 29, 2019
Event Date: August 9 — 18, 2019
The first SLEEPY HOLLOW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SHIFF), a celebration of outstanding genre cinema in the very cradle of the American Supernatural, is taking place in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, NY, on October 10–13, 2019, and is now accepting film and script submissions! Be a part of this wondrous exploration of creative cinema, right in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley region, during its legendary Halloween season!
Earlybird Deadline: April 29, 2019
Event Date: October10–13, 2019
The High Falls Women’s Film Festival celebrates the achievements of women in all aspects of filmmaking; through programs that recognize the best work of female cinematic artists. Since its inception in 2001, the Festival has screened more than 700 films, spotlighting the cinematic works of women and bringing the finest independent motion pictures and film artists to Rochester and Western New York audiences. The Festival includes features, documentaries, shorts, and children’s programs, parties, meet & greets and educational panels/workshops.
Earlybird Deadline: April 29, 2019
Event Date: October 31 — November 3, 2019
The International New York Film Festival, (INYFF) is A SCREENING, AWARD and DISTRIBUTION Festival. First place GOLD AWARD will receive the INYFF trophy, certificate, screening and distribution deal! Opening reception at the Producers Club in NYC and award ceremony and photo op at the end of the INYFF. Silver and Merit award winners receive a certificate and the chance to receive a distribution deal.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: June 14–16, 2019
The Dominican Film Festival celebrates the best in Dominican Cinema with the goal to enrich the artistic experience of New York’s diverse cultural audience. The Dominican Film Festival’s mission is to promote the new generation of Dominican filmmakers as well as the established one, its film industry, and to strengthen the vital and expanding economic and cultural relationship with the United States.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: July 23–29, 2019
The New York City Short Film Festival (NYC Shorts) is an international competitive short film festival created by filmmakers and dedicated to the short form. In 2019, NYC Shorts will celebrate its 15th annual edition. The festival screenings will once again take place at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space, a storied arts and film venue in Manhattan.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: October 19, 2019
The New York City Mental Health Film Festival is the oldest and largest mental health film festival in the United States. It was originally planned as a community event for mental health consumers: We’d select the best films we could find about mental health, screen them, and relate them to our own experiences. Above all, we wanted to show the lives, successes, hopes, struggles, and beautiful humanity of people with mental health concerns. That’s what we’ve done.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: October 19, 2019
Irish Screen America supports and guides Irish media-makers by showcasing their work and fostering partnerships in the two largest cities for the entertainment industry — New York and Los Angeles. The organization holds screenings, industry panels, discussions and master classes throughout the year and an annual festival in in late October.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: October 19 — November 8, 2019
Greenwich Village Film Festival celebrates Greenwich Village as a physical place, as one of the most photogenic neighborhoods of New York City.
But, more important, as a creative state of mind born in a specific location that gathered like-minded people together to stimulate individual and collaborative artistic expression. Our mission is to honor and keep alive this sense of community and creative environment by discovering and bringing together new independent artists and their work.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: October 21–23, 2019
Fatherhood Image Film Festival is a 3-Day Film Festival which features screenings from emerging producers, videographers, and filmmakers from all over the world — highlighting and showcasing films from the past and present with the goal to impact, gauge and assess the images of Fathers in media.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: October 26, 2019
The Hamptons Doc Fest (formally Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Festival), now in its 12th year, was founded by filmmakers to champion and celebrate the rich, diverse and challenging world of documentary film. Our aim is to bring the work of talented documentary filmmakers to new audiences. We recognize and honor film and filmmakers who deserve a closer look.
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: December 5–9, 2019
Now in its 8th Year, The Katra Film Series is an internationally acclaimed film festival and screenwriting competition dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers with the exhibition and promotion of independent cinema from around the world. Hailed by Tribeca Films for its “honorable mission to spotlight new and emerging cinematic talents…where some of their top alums have since gone on to great things in the indie world and beyond” while the New York Times agrees “From the bottom up an amazing and excellent festival that has made it in New York,” and Remezcla writes “An innovative new model pushing for the future of its filmmakers,” while Time Out NY states “Nothing but the best.” And last year ‘LLERO magazine sums it up succinctly “A memorable film fest like none other. In over 6 years, the Katra Film Series has become a hub for up-and-coming filmmakers.”
Earlybird Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: February 8, 2020
Last Chance:
The New York Latino Film Festival is dedicated to producing culturally relevant and entertaining experiences that build audiences for Latino cinema, support the film community with professional development and foster relationships for Latino talent. The festival is committed to showing the best our rich and diverse community has to offer.
Final Deadline: April 19, 2019
Event Date: August 14–18, 2019
The Bowery Film Festival is determined to bring about a cinematic revolution unseen since the 70’s, striving to discover a new wave of renegade filmmakers creating raw, gritty, funny, and bombastic art in one of the most culturally rich and progressive NYC neighborhoods. Our mission is simple: to showcase works from filmmakers of all walks of life regardless of gender, race, age, creed, sexual orientation, or political affiliation and provide them with a platform to jumpstart their careers.
Final Deadline: April 20, 2019
Event Date: November 14–17, 2019
The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival is the flagship indie film event of Brooklyn Founded in 2011, AoBFF is the ONLY international, independent festival in the world exclusively devoted to Brooklyn’s vibrant film and media scene. We accept films and screenplays from all over, as long as they are connected to the borough in some way (e.g. cast/crew, production, content, theme, setting, etc.)
Final Deadline: April 21, 2019
Event Date: June 1–9, 2019
NEW YORK EURASIAN FILM FESTIVAL intends to discover contemporary Eurasian cinema, to restore and to create a new cinematic culture in response to the rapid changes in media seen in the 21st century. NYEFF present: the international competition section to find potential cinema artist and discover new films to be classic in the future.
Final Deadline: April 25, 2019
Event Date: May 17–19, 2019
The SDGs in Action Film Festival, coordinated by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is a competition seeking short films that highlight how people and organizations around the world are taking action for the global goals. The Festival was launched in 2018 in connection with the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development that takes place each July at UN Headquarters in New York. The competition offers amateur filmmakers around the globe the chance to submit animated or live-action films up to 20 minutes long that showcase a person or project working on tangible solutions to the world’s biggest threats and making the SDGs our reality.
Final Deadline: April 26, 2019
Event Date: July 9–18, 2019
The DYCD Film Festival (formerly known as the SONYC Film Festival) is the coolest student film festival in New York City. Celebrating our filmmakers of tomorrow…today, our festival offers an unparalleled experience designed specifically to promote and empower the future of film. Each June, hundreds of DYCD filmmakers join us in New York City for an action-packed day of resources and entertainment, including our DYCD Film Festival Awards Show, where we hand out over $10,000 in prizes and scholarships.
Final Deadline: April 28, 2019
Event Date: June 14, 2019
Big Apple Film Festival takes place in the heart of the greatest city in the world. BAFF, named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s top “25 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee”, top “25 Coolest Film Festivals”, and CBS New York’s “5 Best Events in New York”, is dedicated to showcasing, highlighting and promoting the highest quality films from the New York City independent film community, as well as additional specially selected films from across the country and around the world. Our goal is to celebrate the great city of New York through the exhibition of innovative and purposeful filmmaking. The festival offers a variety of film screenings and special New York City premieres.
Final Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: May 16–18, 2019
Stareable Fest is half industry marketplace, creating face-to-face connections between independent filmmakers and decision makers at major platforms (last year, we had HBO, Comedy Central, PBS, Warner Bros, Vice, and more), and half creator convention, with workshops and panels about how to be a more effective filmmaker. This isn’t the same old festival, focused on screenings and awards (though we have those).
Final Deadline: April 30, 2019
Event Date: July 19–21, 2019
May
May continues the spring tradition, bringing you inclusive festivals for all ages. From the biggest student film festival in the world to a booming market for Latino filmmakers, May is the perfect time to submit your film for a New York premiere.
Just Starting:
Brooklyn Independent Film Festival is a platform for independent filmmakers, inclusive entertainment, and emerging voices in cinema. Launched by Film Ready’s parent company Mission Based Projects, and promoting innovative storytelling with unique perspectives, BIFF is a three day event with talk backs, exclusive bashes, networking events and screenings that foster audience engagement.
Earlybird Deadline: May 1, 2019
Event Date: January 10–12, 2020
The All American High School Film Festival is the largest student film festival in the world. Our festival offers an unparalleled experience designed specifically to promote and empower the future of film. Each October, thousands of student filmmakers join us in New York City for an action-packed weekend of resources and entertainment, including our Teen Indie Awards Show, where we hand out over $400,000 in prizes and scholarships.
Earlybird Deadline: May 3, 2019
Event Date: October 11–13, 2019
Since 2013, the mission of The Nitehawk Shorts Festival has been to highlight exceptional short-form film works by artists and filmmakers. The Festival’s main slate programming features a range of filmmakers, from emerging film school students to Academy Award nominees, in curated screenings that prioritize conversations between the films over categorical listings. Programs at the Nitehawk Shorts Festival consist of short films in all forms (animation, documentary, narrative, non-narrative, artist films, music videos, horror) by local, national, and international filmmakers.
Earlybird Deadline: May 5, 2019
Event Date: November 13–18, 2019
ImageOut is a premier LGBTQ+ film festival in New York State. We present LGBTQ+ arts and cultural experiences showcasing films, other creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community. Our vision is for ImageOut to be recognized and respected as a major arts and cultural organization enriching the community by celebrating and bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ artists and themed work.
Earlybird Deadline: May 10, 2019
Event Date: October 10–20, 2019
Wavestock Film Festival brings artists and the audience into an immersive day saturated with aesthetic pleasures, great food from local food trucks, masterfully crafted beer from Flagship Brewery, music of local musicians and DJ’s and an all day film festival situated in Flagship’s brew room transformed into a full large screen movie theater setting. It’s a great day for everyone and every year it increases in attendance and quality content. We at Sitewave and Crossfire take pleasure in bringing this all day celebration of the arts to the Staten Island community. Please join us for this day of drinks, food, films, and fun.
Earlybird Deadline: May 11, 2019
Event Date: October 12, 2019
Shortie Film Festival is fast-growing annual film festival based in trendy Williamsburg, New York. During a two day event we hold live screenings, Q&A’s and networking afterparties at a beautiful rustic 19th century loft. Shortie is a platform for young filmmakers which helps them to launch their careers and get discovered in filmmaking capital, NYC. We represent filmmakers of all backgrounds and levels of experiences. We promote and support great films by helping them to get industry recognition in the US.
Earlybird Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: October 3–4, 2019
Concourse Film Festival is to offer engaging and entertaining programs of video and film, while also presenting the best short films in the country… in the heart of New York City. As a platform for independent filmmaking, creative expression and immersive entertainment, The Concourse supports emerging and established voices, strives to discover award-winning filmmakers, curate innovative and interactive experiences, and introduces new ideas through panels, premieres, exhibitions, and live performances.
Earlybird Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: October 12, 2019
The New York Immigration Film Festival connects global filmmakers, who are Immigrants themselves or working on an Immigration subject. Probably it is hard to find another city in the world having more immigrants then New York. It is a city of dreams. Here people from all aver the world come to make their dreams come true. Some of them are lucky to get a portion of their American Dream, while others are still struggling to achieve their goals. But everyone’s story is interesting in its own way.
Earlybird Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: October 19–20, 2019
The Northeast Filmmakers Lab 6th edition is designed by and for filmmakers. If there’s one word that describes us, its “relationship,” if it’s two words, then it’s “break-through.” Modeled after Rotterdam, our intimate setting is designed to be supportive, friendly and offer direct one-on-one access to veteran filmmakers, producers, entertainment attorneys, noted actors, casting directors, budgeting experts, marketing strategists and more. Meaningful industry panel discussions encourage audience participation in open dialogue about the creative and business aspects of filmmaking. Whatever the project, we have two main goals: (1) help filmmakers complete their works-in-progress and (2) reach as wide an audience as possible.
Earlybird Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: November 1–3, 2019
The New York Short Film Festival is preparing for a fantastic festival of independent short filmmaking. We’ll be showcasing short films from around the world on Nov 1–7, 2019 at Manhattan’s best-loved independent cinema — the Cinema Village.
Earlybird Deadline: May 17, 2019
Event Date: November 1–7, 2019
The New York Mobile Film Festival has been created to showcase, nurture, and support the emerging creative filmmaker that uses the latest technology available from a mobile device to create stories in a cinematic way. We want to show to the world that now more than ever, filmmakers are in control of their own stories and the new mobile technology catapults the filmmaker from concept to completion without waiting for a major investor or a network to approve their work. Filmmakers are now in full control.
Earlybird Deadline: May 30, 2019
Event Date: July 11, 2019
Brooklyn Music Week takes place nestled between two of the biggest summer music events in Brooklyn; the Afropunk Music Festival and the Caribbean Labor Day Parade, together these two events bring in over 1.2 million revelers each year. The last week of August in New York City is essentially a ‘Brooklyn Music Week.’ With Afropunk Fest bands, most Caribbean artists, along with Video Music Awards artists in town, it’s a time where the top bands and artists in the music industry are more accessible than usual. The goal is to have the selected directors or artist showcase their music video and then participate in a Q&A with the audience and host.
Earlybird Deadline: May 30, 2019
Event Date: August 30 — September 3, 2019
The South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) is the ‘Largest’ film premiere destination for South Asian/Indian filmmakers in the United States! SAIFF was founded in New York City due to the lack of support for many emerging filmmakers and the overall underrepresentation of Indian cinema in a capital that is recognized by the world as the birthplace of independent filmmaking! The Festival is committed to exhibiting films from South Asia (i.e India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal) and within the Indian Diaspora. With a focus on dynamic, visionary cinema, SAIFF annually creates unprecedented exposure for filmmakers and unparalleled experiences for its attendees. The 16th Annual South Asian International Film Festival will take place from October 23 to October 27, 2019.
Earlybird Deadline: May 31, 2019
Event Date: October 23–27, 2019
The Justice Film Festival presented by Docs/ology Films will return to the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture November 13–16, 2019 in New York City. As always, this year’s event will include feature films, documentaries, and shorts from both well-known and emerging filmmakers that shine a light on social justice.
Earlybird Deadline: May 31, 2019
Event Date: November 13–16, 2019
Last Chance:
The Stony Brook Film Festival is produced by the Staller Center for the Arts on the campus of Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. The festival in 2019 will be the 24th year of this very competitive and highly selective ten-day festival. All films are shown on our 40 foot screen in the Staller Center’s Main Stage Theater which seats over a 1000. Filmmakers who attend may be provided with travel assistance, lodging, and access to all our parties and events.
Final Deadline: May 1, 2019
Event Date: July 18–27, 2019
The American Museum of Natural History’s Margaret Mead Film Festival, occurring October 17–20, 2019, screens documentaries that increase our understanding of the complexity and diversity of the peoples and cultures that populate our planet. The festival has evolved with the times while maintaining its important history and has grown steadily to reflect the ever-evolving incarnations of storytelling, technology and growing access to communities near and far. The Mead presents the best in documentary, experimental films, animation, hybrid works, and more.
Final Deadline: May 1, 2019
Event Date: October 17–20, 2019
Manhattan Rep’s STORIES Film Festival is about the narrative, the amazing adventure, the love lost and found again, the crazy challenge, the social commentary, the wacky situation, the impossible dream, and so much more as we celebrate digital storytelling at it’s finest!
Final Deadline: May 3, 2019
Event Date: May 15–19, 2019
My True Colors Festival is an annual event fighting for social justice and promoting cultural diversity through the arts by presenting works in multiple disciplines that are for and by underrepresented multicultural LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual) storytellers. My True Colors Festival benefits LGBTQIA+ identifying persons and their allies.
Final Deadline: May 3, 2019
Event Date: June 3–17, 2019
New York IDF is an affordable alternative for independent documentary filmmakers looking to reach audiences in three of the world’s largest film cities. NYIDF accepts short and mid-length documentary and mockumentary films from all over the world. The third annual NYIDF will take place in Brooklyn in May 2017.
Final Deadline: May 12, 2019
Event Date: May 26, 2019
New York No Limits Film Series is a ongoing collection of screenings that presents the best films from around the world in the most unique and dynamic arts city in the world. No Limits provides filmmakers the opportunity and support to explore the most innovative, taboo and diverse shorts from anywhere in the world at the state of the art Wild Project event space. All year long, No Limits breaks the boundaries and spreads the canvass in any genre, no matter the vision from all over the world.
Final Deadline: May 13, 2019
Event Date: June 27, 2019
Hamptons International Film Festival takes place annually in October, with a number of additional events held year round in New York City and the Hamptons. Named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World as well as one of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, HIFF is the premier film event on New York State’s east end, and an intimate showcase of some of the year’s best offerings in contemporary cinema.
Final Deadline: May 14, 2019
Event Date: October 10–14, 2019
The Brooklyn Short Film Festival creates a showcase specific to short filmmakers looking for exposure and professional growth in the New York film industry. Shifting the focus from feature films to short films, in an engaging and networking friendly atmosphere in trendsetting Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Short Film Festival is the first Brooklyn based festival specifically focused on Short Films.
Final Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: June 13, 2019
The Hip Hop Film Festival focuses on filmmakers and movie lovers raised in THE CULTURE. All genres, all stories welcome… we focus on filmmaker born after 1960 that are reshaping narratives across a broad spectrum and influencing how we watch visually impactful narratives. This year we are offering first look deals and acquisition meetings with major networks and production studios across several categories.
Final Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: August 1–4, 2019
The Adirondack Film Festival screens over 100 films in one weekend to thousands of viewers annually. The festival features panel discussions, a free family series, multiple parties & special events, and a selection of indie and studio feature length and short films of all kinds and genres with an emphasis on diversity, all taking place on 7 screens in downtown Glens Falls. With all locations in walking distance in the middle of a charming city surrounded by restaurants, mountains, parks, and shopping… And, again, All AFF filmmakers receive a complimentary hotel room!
Final Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: October 17–20, 2019
THE VOICE OF A WOMAN is a non-profit organisation, first founded in 2009, that has for close to a decade played an important role in presenting the works of women filmmakers, artists and thought leaders to public audiences internationally.
Final Deadline: May 15, 2019
Event Date: November 8–11, 2019
The 3rd Anual Latino Film Market(LFM) event focuses on providing educational community-networking opportunities. Creating direct tools for upcoming Latino filmmakers as well as industry professionals local and international. LFM will be taking place on June 28–30, 2019 in New York City.
Final Deadline: May 20, 2019
Event Date: June 28–30, 2019
New York Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (formerly NYC Popup Film Festival) celebrates quality independent films. Our goal is to bring quality short films to an audience and offer independent filmmakers a place to showcase their work. We also work to create network opportunities for future work to be created.
Final Deadline: May 20, 2019
Event Date: June 17, 2019
MANHATTANHENGE Film Festival is an international film festival and screenplay competition founded in New York City, USA at 2018. The Festival offers you the chance to meet other filmmakers and industry professionals to exchange ideas and collaborate in a highly creative and inspiring atmosphere.
Final Deadline: May 31, 2019
Event Date: July 15, 2019
THE ARTISTS FORUM FESTIVAL OF THE MOVING IMAGE: 2019 is now accepting submissions. This international short film festival is a juried competition, open to innovative filmmakers with unique perspectives seeking to gain exposure in New York’s formidable arts and media market.
Final Deadline: May 31, 2019
Event Date: October 17–19, 2019
Do you know a film festival that has an Earlybird or Final Deadline in April or May? Contact Mission Based Projects to add them to the list.
Film Ready is brought to you by Mission Based Projects, a creative production company based in New York City.
